Section 144 imposed in Punjab amid PTI protest call

The Punjab government on Friday imposed the Section 144 across the province.

Under the Section 144, all forms of public gatherings, protests, rallies, processions, and sit-ins have been banned for three days.

A notification in this regard said the ban will be in effect from Saturday, November 23, to Monday, November 25.

It added that the decision has been taken following a recommendation by the Cabinet Committee, citing security and public order concerns.

The aim of the move is to preempt any disruption as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf gears up for its November 24 march on Islamabad.

The imposition of Section 144 is based on the recommendation of the Cabinet Committee on law and order.

Earlier, the PTI has called for countrywide demonstrations against alleged rigging in the February 8 elections, detention of party founder and party workers, and the contentious 26th Constitutional Amendment.

PTI has labelled the scheduled November 24 protest “do-or-die”.

The provincial government has deployed Rangers in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and other major districts to support local law enforcement.

A request for additional Rangers was sent to the Ministry of Interior earlier this week, with personnel already ordered to be deployed in Rawalpindi and Attock from today, November 22.